Dr Nguyen follows international guidelines that support "watchful waiting" when specific criteria are met, as many cases of glue ear resolve naturally. This is an active monitoring strategy to ensure your child's hearing and development are protected.
Ideal candidates for watchful waiting often have:
The surgery is brief (typically 15-20 minutes) and performed under general anaesthesia. A tiny tube (grommet) is placed in the eardrum to drain the fluid and ventilate the middle ear, resulting in an immediate improvement in hearing. Most children go home the same day and recover very quickly.
Evidence supports watchful waiting for 3-4 months if hearing loss is mild and speech is normal. Dr Nguyen considers earlier intervention if hearing loss is significant, affects both ears, or impacts your child's speech development.
Most children with glue ear achieve normal or near-normal hearing with appropriate treatment. With grommets, hearing improvement is typically immediate and dramatic.
When properly managed, glue ear rarely causes permanent speech problems. Early intervention or appropriate monitoring protects speech development during critical periods.
Grommet insertion surgery is very safe. The procedure is quick, complications are rare, and the benefits include immediate hearing improvement and protection of speech development.
Children with grommets can swim with appropriate ear protection to prevent water from entering the middle ear. Custom earplugs or headbands are recommended.
Is your child experiencing hearing difficulties, speech delays, or attention problems that might be related to fluid behind the eardrums?
Dr Nguyen's evidence-based approach can determine the optimal treatment strategy for your child, whether through careful monitoring or grommets surgery, ensuring the best outcomes for hearing and speech development.
